Baku deplores statement by Council of Europe Committee, calling it “unfair and unjust”

The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry on Thursday deplored the statement by the Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT), deeming it unfair and unjustified.

“We deeply regret that the Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) has decided to issue a public statement concerning Azerbaijan on 3 July 2024. The CPT has also taken an unprecedented decision to publish the entire report prepared following its 2022 ad hoc visit, without the proper consent of Azerbaijan as required by the European Convention against Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. Such an approach is unfair, unjustified and legally questionable,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Aykhan Hajizada said, according to News.Az.

He stated that since 2002, the CPT had carried out numerous periodic and ad hoc visits and published reports on the implementation of the Convention by Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan had provided the Government’s response on each point mentioned in the reports. Furthermore, as also indicated in the public statement, appropriate measures had been taken to remedy the shortcomings concerned and the Committee’s recommendations had always been taken into account.

“Over the years of cooperation, the Committee has received the necessary support during its visits so far. Not only have its on-site investigations been facilitated, but measures have been taken to ensure that the members of the delegation are received at the highest possible level and every effort has been made to strengthen the foundations of cooperation,” the spokesperson added.

Hajizada noted that it is particularly regrettable that this decision was taken in the current situation of relations between Azerbaijan and the Council of Europe, created following the biased decision of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) not to ratify the credentials of the Azerbaijani delegation to PACE in January 2024.

“We reject the criticisms made in the public statement, which target certain state institutions, holding them responsible instead of engaging in constructive cooperation.

“Azerbaijan is making great progress not only in protecting persons deprived of their liberty, but also in adapting relevant practices to commonly accepted standards,” the spokesperson concluded.

News.Az